Food for Thought: Supporting LGBTQ+ Communities

The following notes share thoughts and insights from the initial FoodSpark Potluck regarding LGBTQ+ resources and support. This convening included 34 community members who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, trans, gender-nonconforming, or non-binary.

IN COMMUNITY, SUPPORT LOOKS/FEELS LIKE:

Acknowledging and respecting the fullness and who we are in our identities. Example: Seeing gender neutral/ all gender restrooms

Not being treated in a way that reminds us of only our differences.Example: We don’t like for people to constantly tell us how “brave” we are.

Being acknowledged as a full person and not just “queerness made flesh.”

Having community—a group of people where you can share life and not be concerned with categorizing everyone or not being accepted and understood.

Not getting ridiculed and judged if we don’t fit a stereotype of queerness.Example: Not being judged for identifying as bisexual or pansexual.

WHAT/WHERE IS THE CRITICAL MASS OF SUPPORT IN OUR COMMUNITY?

LGBTQ+ communities can be made up of any number of people and exist in many forms. It’s more about the support systems—who you have to support you in your life.

Most people find community through local bars and events.

Others found community through protests.

WHAT’S MISSING? WHAT’S NEEDED?

There aren’t many organizations devoted to helping people thrive in community that are recovering from addiction.

There is not sufficient education or curriculum being given to queer youth about substance abuse prevention.

There are not many spaces and experiences dedicated to LGBTQ+ people of color, so it is harder to find community.

We would like more spaces where people who ID as LGBTQ+ can go that are not bars. Examples: Queer yoga, tabletop Dungeons & Dragon, stand up comedy and improv, karaoke